Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Documentation may include:
cue sheets and track sheets
dubbing charts
equipment instructions
OHS requirements
organisational standards
performers' requirements
production schedule and set-up reports
shot lists
sound and audio reports
storyboards
technical manuals.
Consumables may include:
audiotape
compact discs (CDs)
cue sheets and track sheets
digital versatile discs (DVDs)
masking tape, marker pens and labels
memory cards
mini discs (MDs).
Recording production may include:
commercial
print advertisement
corporate video
feature film and/or video
filmed event and/or performance
interactive digital media product
internet production
music recording and/or video
promotional trailer
radio broadcast
short film and/or video
television program
training film and/or video
voice-over.
Sound equipment and accessories may include:
amplifiers
analogue to digital converters
cables
computer technology and associated software
digital and analogue recording devices
digital audio players
headphones
microphones and accessories
mixing consoles and desks
monitors and speakers
signal processors and plug-ins.
Production requirements may include:
attributions
audience
budget
confidentiality
content
contractual arrangements
copyright
deadlines
direct quotes
duration
intellectual property
interviews
location
purpose
schedule
style.
Appropriate persons may include:
artists, musicians and performers
audio and sound engineers
audio and sound technicians
dubbing machine operators
broadcasters
directors, producers and photographers
post-production editors and mixers
program managers
sound designers and editors
sound effects personnel
video and sound recorders.
Placement and movement of equipment may involve:
observing safety and technical requirements
avoiding extraneous and unwanted noise, e.g. from cables
with screen productions:
avoiding shadows and reflections
ensuring that equipment is not in frame
aiming a boom microphone upwards or downwards depending on the shot
placing microphones in more than one position to capture the required sound perspective.
Microphones may include:
boundary (PZM)
capacitor/condenser
contact
digital
directional
dual-element
dynamic
headset
lapel
low and/or high impedance
microphone systems
noise cancelling
shotgun.
Microphone accessories may include:
boom poles
cables
clips
connectors
housing
pop filters
shock mounts
stands
windscreens.
Sound check may include checking:
levels
frequency response
phase relationships
signal-to-noise ratio.
Characteristics of recorded sound may include:
frequency response
phase relationships
signal-to-noise ratio level
mono/stereo/5.1 surround sound
spatial position and image
balance
tonal quality
perspective
acoustic
dynamic range.
Signal processing may include:
amplitude (dynamic) signal processing
noise processing
spectrum signal processing
time signal processing.
Work environment may include:
dubbing theatre
on location
outside broadcast
post-production studio
recording studio
sound stage.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
apply OHS principles of safe listening to day-to-day work activities
use a range of industry-current sound equipment and accessories
work cooperatively in a production environment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of work environments and productions where sound is recorded
access to industry-current sound equipment and accessories
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies to assess candidate's ability to apply OHS principles of safe listening to day-to-day work activities
evaluation of a range of live, acoustic and/or sequenced recordingsin which candidate assisted asound technician or engineer
observation of the candidate assisting with sound recordings
written or oral questioning to test knowledge of basic principles and techniques of sound recording.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUFIND201ADevelop and apply creative arts industry knowledge
CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing
CUSMLT201A Develop and apply musical ideas and listening skills
CUSSOU202A Mix sound in a broadcasting environment.